For most of us college students, curating a closet of solely high-brow couture is not realistic in the slightest – but as we grow older, we want our wardrobe to reflect a newfound maturity. That Urban Outfitters crewneck we all thought was peak in 9th grade? Time to go. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely had it packed going into first year, but once you walk the runway of Market Street a few times, it becomes pretty clear that subpar doesn’t play in St Andrews.Â
There is something innately elevated about the style here. No one is wearing sweatpants to class, like at my friend Uni’s university back in the States. If you go to Tesco in leggings, you presumably came from sports practice or the gym. And I’ve seen more teenagers with blowouts in business casual on a random day here than I did working in a corporate office. There can be something quite fun about that if you embrace the particular vibe, but it is definitely unexpected at first.
Before you arrive in St Andrews, this is not widely known, especially if you’re an international student, such as myself. Driving up past the sheep fields on move-in day, you wouldn’t think your final destination – a quaint little seaside town in northern Scotland – would be a fashion hub, but don’t let the cows and kilts fool you. This place can be a college catwalk. Even the basics baffle me sometimes.Â
Keeping it simple but sophisticated is the key. My not-so-secret weapon for this look is high-low dressing. It’s finding a blended middle ground, anchoring an outfit with one or two polished, timeless pieces that make the rest appear instantly more intentional. A Sezane sweater thrown over a white T-shirt from H&M. A nice pair of leather loafers with jeans that have probably seen better days. A cashmere scarf that, despite being a hefty investment, will do all the heavy lifting when the rest of an outfit is student budget minimal. Â
It’s the juxtaposition that screams St Andrews: pairing a seemingly mundane dress with your grandmother’s pearls, or slipping a Ralph Lauren trench on over a worn-in hoodie before your 9 am tutorial. The little touch that says, yeah, I might’ve just pulled this together, but I still look like I could be on my way to an interview after this. And maybe that’s the point. There’s something aspirational about dressing like the upper echelon, even if the majority of us are far from that reality. It’s less about the actual wealth and more about signaling a sort of belonging, a tie to tradition, a quiet performance of refinement that embodies our broader town’s style.Â
When your daily environment is cobblestones and castle ruins, it almost makes sense to engage with the fantasy of being part of that old-world story. Clothes, in this sense, then, are more about the character you want to play. Who you want to be perceived as, rather than who you are. Whether or not this is a positive thing we have going on here – the pedestal for poshness in St Andrews – is definitely up for debate. However, its presence is indisputable.Â
I swear that investing in a few elevated staples makes a whole world of difference when I’m getting dressed in the morning. Even if it is not my best or most creative, I can pull on the Frye boots my mom got me as a graduation gift and feel confident in any outfit. It’s not about pretending we can all achieve a head-to-toe designer look every day, but a solid coat, classic shoe, or a really good bag are pieces that will always elevate an outfit and eventually evolve your entire style. A slow burn capsule wardrobe, if you will.Â
It sounds counterintuitive, but the truth of the matter is that what appears effortless is almost always incredibly intentional. Lean into that. Be strategic and thoughtful. Embrace the development of your style during these developmental years. Experiment with your friends, get inspired, and make St Andrews your very own fashion show in that comfortable landing spot between High and Low.